Can anyone tell me where the purge valve is located on a 97 Expedition 4.6?? One guy said that it was above the spare tire. I didn't see it. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

What are you purging?

 

If it's part of the gas tank evaporation system look for a large black canister either tucked in the wheel well behind the driver's rear tire - that's where my 99 is, or somewhere in the back of the vehicle underneath on the filler nozzle side. The purge valve may be part of that assembly. You are under the vehicle looking up and to the side. In order to get the rear shocks off my 99 I had to remove some things. I believe the purge valve assembly was part of this. Threw a code huh?

 

I found the evap canister and I saw that there was a soleniod at the top of the canister by the vent hose, but I ordered a part and when it got here it looks nothing like the part that is on the evap canister. Maybe it was the wrong part sent. It threw a code evap purge malfunction?? When it warmed up outside the check engine light shut off and has not come back on?? The purge valve is actually on the canister and not in another location? Thanks for the info I may just go and buy a new evap canister, my expy has a few miles on her and she could probably use it. Thanks for the info.

 

pc69,
I have my 97-00 Chilton's manual in front of me. Admittedly, it ain't much but here goes. The Purge valve/solenoid is pictured as having on the top, an ribbed inlet from the evaporative canister to accept a small dia. hose and a similar ribbed line for a vacuum source. The inlets point in opposite directions. Out the bottom are wires leading to an electrical connector. The manual recommends measuring ohms resistance and vacuum in order to diagnose whether the valve is working properly. However on the next page they describe Purge valve removal as:
detach the electrical connector, disconnect and label the vacuum control hose, disconnect the two (2) fuel vapor lines, and remove the two retaining bolts. Did you pick up where the picture does not match the disassembly instructions? Me too. It appears that the only electrical part on the evap. cannister is the Purge valve. Can you remove it and match it up at a parts store. If your CEL has gone out perhaps the problem went away, for now. Good luck.

 

I'll give it a shot. Thanks for taking the time to look that up. The weird thing is that the check engine light has not come back on since the outside temp has been 45 degrees and higher??? Go figure. Thanks again. I'll check out the parts store and see what they can come up with.

 

Its on the firewall, just inboard of the brake master cylinder.

 

Bingo! Look for the green cap on the service port.

The canister vent solenoid is located under the truck on the canister.

Steve

 

And from the Chilton's description that makes sense - when the engine reaches the correct temp the solenoid opens and allows the charcoal cannisters contents to be vented to the intake system. Unfortunately they call it a Purge valve. Thanks for redirecting pc69. Hopefully that helps him.